Hoping to undermine Donald Trump’s support at a large gathering of evangelical Christians in Iowa, several of his top rivals on Saturday mostly avoided direct criticism of him on abortion and other issues of critical importance to social conservatives.

The annual banquet of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalitions is traditionally a major event in the Republican primaries. But the former president skipped this, leaving a largely silent crowd of more than a thousand pastors and activists to instead hear from several candidates trailing far behind Trump.

The division in the primary field over abortion was on display again, with Florida’s governor running for office. Ron DeSantis says restrictions on the procedure should be left to the states, a position similar to Trump’s, while former Vice President Mike Pence called Trump his former running mate and said he was wrong to oppose a national abortion ban to resist.

While the public was largely anti-abortion, Pence’s push for a 15-week ban received only lukewarm applause, reflecting concerns among some national Republicans that Democrats are gaining on abortion rights following last year’s Supreme Court ruling that the Roe vs. Wade decision was overturned.

DeSantis, who has struggled to cement himself as the number one in the Republican primary. 2 behind Trump, declined to say he supported a federal abortion ban. Instead, he said, states have done more on the issue.

Congress has really struggled to make an impact over the years, DeSantis said.

That’s similar to Trump, who recently declined to support a federal ban, arguing the issue should be left alone

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to the states. The former president has also previously warned top Republicans against standing up for abortion positions that fall outside the political mainstream.

Pence said he disagreed with Trump and argued that all Republican presidential candidates should support a federal abortion ban after at least 15 weeks of pregnancy.

“I believe it’s an idea whose time has come,” Pence said. We must stand up for the unborn across America.

A Trump attack came from the former governor of Arkansas. Asa Hutchinson, a frequent critic of the former president. He said there is another candidate who I respect but who is not here tonight before condemning Trump for saying he wants to make both parties happy with abortion.

Hutchinson said that unlike Trump, neither party will like me. This will be a fight for life.

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other high-profile events, no one in the audience booed that or any other comment Saturday. That could be because Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, warned the public before things started: Let’s conduct ourselves in a way that honors these candidates, but also honors our lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Those who criticized Trump did not agree on everything. Hutchinson suggested that a House Republican effort to open an impeachment inquiry against President Biden could be premature given the facts that have emerged so far. Pence said he supported that effort.

The event included many devout and well-connected social conservatives

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play a decisive role in the first Republican caucuses in Iowa in January. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas made a strong appeal to evangelical Republicans to win the 2016 Republican Party caucuses.

This time, however, Trump’s rivals face a much tougher task as he built a large lead among Republicans early on. The former president has also remained popular with evangelical Christians and social conservatives in Iowa and elsewhere, who were happy to see his three Supreme Court picks vote to uphold Roe vs. Wade undo.

The Saturday banquet is the last scheduled opportunity for a large group of evangelical conservatives from Iowa to see the candidates side by side, meaning they won’t see Trump. In April and June, he skipped similar events with thousands of people in Iowa.

Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, a longtime bachelor, was asked about reports that he has a girlfriend who has not been publicly identified. On Saturday he called her a sweet Christian girl and asked the crowd, “Can we just pray for me together?”

He added, “All I say is praise the living God,” seemingly joking about the Lord’s work in finally ensuring he has a girlfriend.

DeSantis was specifically asked to talk about his personal faith and deeply held Catholic beliefs. He noted that when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, he was grateful for the amount of prayers we received. It made my wife happier. He said prayer was a big reason she was now cancer-free.

Candidates discussing their personal faith has been a hallmark of successful Iowa caucus candidates for decades, including George W. Bush who in 1999, when asked to identify his favorite political philosopher, named Jesus Christ because he changed my heart.

Robin Star of Waukee, just west of Des Moines, attended DeSantis’ speech at church and said she was glad the Supreme Court ruled Roe v. Wade blasted, but that Trump doesn’t deserve all the credit. Star said she would still vote for Trump if he is the Republican nominee, but fears he cannot sufficiently unite the Republican Party ahead of the general election against Biden.

We just have to win,” Star said. ‘We just have to win.

Her husband, Jerry Star, was clearer, saying it’s time for new leadership.

Jerry Star, a retired Air Force officer, said he was very supportive of Trump for most of Trump’s time in the White House, until Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of the former president’s supporters overran the U.S. Capitol.

“He did a great job in his four years, but that day he destroyed everything,” he said. ‘It’s time for someone else.